{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Primer: The Jolly Balloon Man's Modular Menace"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Introduction"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Why Play This Deck?"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You love scaling value engines and ETB effects."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You enjoy sneaky combat tricks and counter manipulation."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You want to turn tiny 1/1 balloons into massive, terrifying artifact threats."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You enjoy outramping the dumb green players every 10th game because no one ever removed your sad robot. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Power Level & Meta:"},{"insert":" You will feel comfortable in Bracket 2 - no infinite combos, and just (somewhat) honest combat will win you the game by turn 6 or 7. If you draw really lucky and your opponents underestimate your janky modular balloons, you might sneak a win here and there in bracket 3 aswell as we have quite versatile and recurrable removal aswell."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. The Core Engine "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Modular Exploit:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Usually, decks helmed by the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Jolly Balloon Man"}},{"insert":" use ETB values for card draw or ramp as we do, but use the 1/1 balloons for burn. Our main gameplan is to find 2-4 modular creatures and make them stick on the board, because every balloon copy of the modular creature also enters with the additional +1/+1 counters. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcbound Shikari"}},{"insert":" for example will net you a 3/3 flying first-strike balloon with haste, and as you have to sacrifice it in the endstep or when it dies in combat, we grow our orignal creature on the ground. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ETB Value Town:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Since our commander can only copy creatures, most card draw and removal will remain creature-based. While the Card draw package usually only replaces itself and puts a blocker on the board, copying it once nets you one card (which can be repeated each turn, if necessary) and can lead to huge turns when you pull everything from the graveyard at once. For Protection, I chose flicker effects which seems counter (pun intended) intuitive to the +1/+1-Strategy, but the tokens would die anyways and the original creatures will re-enter with their respective counters and build back up fairly quickly. But the key part is that any value-ETB such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duergar Hedge-Mage"}},{"insert":" will retrigger and allow additional value. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Card Categories & Synergies"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Modular Package:"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Aside from just normal synergy with +1/+1 counters, the modular creatures work especially well with the duskmourn allstar "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Giggling Skitterspike"}},{"insert":" . This indestructable creature burns each opponent by its powervalue when it attacks (which we only do if we can kill everyone), blocks (which it usually will do) or is targetet by a spell (which we could trigger with a lot of our protection suite). Note that our commander can't trigger this on his copy effect, but if we stack our counters on it since modular says "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"any"},{"insert":" Artifact Creature, we basically set a timer for our opponents. In addition we run a few sac-outlets such as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcbound Ravager"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goblin Engineer"}},{"insert":" which gives us the possibility of combat tricks, if we get through with one creature and others become blocked. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ETB Engines:"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pure ETB Engines are pretty much your standard budget package: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spirited Companion"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wall of Omens"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Inspiring Overseer"}},{"insert":" draw a card on ETB and just replace itself. The value only starts once you copy it or recurr it from the graveyard (which we can do). "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Solemn Simulacrum"}},{"insert":" is especially nice to copy, since it ramps us on ETB and draws a card when we sacrifice the token copy on End-Step. Something similar but much more dirty happens with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ao, the Dawn Sky"}},{"insert":". Since the Token Copy will immediatly die to the legendary rule, we can use this effect over and over to either cheat more ETB-Value creatures on the board, or buff our modular engine to the max. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Copying & Doubling:"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Deck runs a few ways to double down on the balloons. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ertha Jo, Frontier Mentor"}},{"insert":" will simply copy the activated ability, but won't do much without our commander. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Panharmonicon"}},{"insert":" will double the ETB effects and will mostly net us card draw or ramp, since the modular effect doesn't count as ETB. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Renewed Solidarity"}},{"insert":" technically doubles down on ETBs and Tokens, but only in our End Step. Put the Sacrifice-Trigger on the Stack first, then the additional token creation, to resolve the additional balloon first. Sometimes it might be worth it not to attack to ensure, the balloon stays alive for this permanent token to resolve. Determined Iteration has the exact effect as our commander, giving us the ETB and forcing a sacrifice in the end. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Protection & Blinking:"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At first it seemes counter intuitive to run a blink-strategy in a deck that wants to build big creatures with +1/+1 counters, In reality, you will have 1-2 value cards, your commander and maybe 1-2 modular creatures on the board before your opponents start throwing removal at you - either at your commander, or the copy target. The flicker effects are incredibly versatile in use, offering spot removal protection, double down on ETBs for removal, card draw or just flickering the commander for an additional token copy. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lae'zel's Acrobatics"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Eerie Interlude"}},{"insert":" even let you dodge boardwipes completely, but leave you open for attacks for the rest of the turn. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Haystack"}},{"insert":" remains the MVP here: It can be tutored with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goblin Engineer"}},{"insert":", protects your most valuable piece by phasing it (which means, if you build a large creature with +1/+1 counters, they stay!) and can even protect your entire board with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Agrus Kos, Eternal Soldier"}},{"insert":". Just be careful with this, since you will be open until you begin your next turn and you don't get ETB-effects. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"4. Gameplan Breakdown"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early Game (Turns 1-3): "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mulligan until you find a copy target with MV < 3. Idealy, you get at least 1 Arcbound creature to establish a blocker, and 1 or 2 draw engines. If you find only Arcbound creatures but have access to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thopter Shop"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Idol of Oblivion"}},{"insert":" , this is absolutely perfect. You should never play "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Jolly Balloon Man"}},{"insert":" if you dont activate him, but the value quickly accumulates. Therefor, I would prioritize Copy-Targets over early game ramp to have your target and commander out as soon as possible. Its highly unlikely that a 2 mana copy target gets removed, and you can play a 2 mana-manarock the turn after and use that to activate your commander again. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mid Game (Turns 4-6): "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you didn't need early blockers, you should have either ramped or drawn enough cards that you can put down the bigger beaters with a token or effect doubler. Now we can play bigger creatures that actually make us look like the modular menace: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Threefold Thunderhulk"}},{"insert":" is a big beater that will trigger multiple times and give us a wide board, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcbound Slasher"}},{"insert":" becomes a 6/6 flyer for 1 mana each turn and if you deployed "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arcbound Crusher"}},{"insert":" anywhere in turns 3-5, it should be big enough to threaten at least one player by now. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Late Game (Turns 7+): "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At this point, there are two possibilites: either you have a big board full with counters or ETB values, or you have a graveyard full with the same stuff. You can start recurring those with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sun Titan"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karmic Guide"}},{"insert":" which will give you 2-3 recursions each turn, or just drop everything onto the board with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wake the Past"}},{"insert":" and just run your opponents over from there. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5. Key Combos & Sneaky Interactions"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sundial of the Infinite:"},{"insert":" Similar to "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Renewed Solidarity"}},{"insert":" , activating Sundial during your turn will wipe the sacrifice trigger off the stack and let you keep your tokens. You could also do this to protect you from spot removal, but without the initial trigger already on the stack, you will lose your balloons. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cybermen Squadron: "},{"insert":"If you bring this onto the board and get to attack with just one or two creatures, you should be able to just win from the raw value. Note that the myriad-copies get exiled. There are a few ways to sacrifice them to move the counters from any modular creatures though. If you have nothing else to search for or just need a way to close the game, tutoring this into the yard with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Goblin Engineer"}},{"insert":" and reanimating it with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wake the Past"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Karmic Guide"}},{"insert":" is the safest way to find this finisher. If you really want to make this work, I suggest adding "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Feldon of the Third Path"}},{"insert":" and cutting "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle"}},{"insert":" . "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Liquimetal Torque Tricks:"},{"insert":" One of my favorite mana rocks in this game. You can either move your counters to non-artifact creatures, get the myriad trigger on your sun titan or remove the vandalblasts players most valueable nonland-permanent. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"6. Weaknesses & How to Overcome Them"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Graveyard Hate:"},{"insert":" Note that effects like "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Rest in Peace"},{"insert":" stop Modular triggers from happening since the creatures don't \"die.\" The same goes for any other exile-effects. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Board Wipes:"},{"insert":" If you can, try to keep your commander on the board. We run an overall low curve, but if the commander gets removed more than 2-3 times, you effectivly rely on your opponents to finish each other until you can rebuild if you havent ramped like crazy with your sad robot!"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"7. Conclusion"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This was my very first deck to build on my own and started on a 35€ Budget. It has come a long way since then and with the recent upgrades I made to bring it back up to fighting shape, I decided to write this primer to streamline everything. Its incredibly fun to see modular creatures actually work and the recursion make this deck quite resilient. I left out any infinite combos by design as I don't particualy enjoy them, but if you want to move to bracket 3, "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Village Bell-Ringer"}},{"insert":" works well even if you dont go infinite with him. If you find "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cybermen Squadron"}},{"insert":" to niche, you can replace it as a finisher with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sigarda's Summons"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Echoing Assault"}},{"insert":" .\n"}]}